Technology Assessment Framework for E-Waste Recycling: A Multi-Criteria Evaluation Approach

Amit Kumar () and Anjali Singh ()

Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) Working Paper from Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), New Delhi, India

Abstract: Technology is crucial for India to achieve its long-term development goals. With technological advancements, determining which technology is most effective for recycling electronic waste (e-waste) is crucial to minimising environmental impact in the recycling sector. Researchers employ multicriteria decision-making to assess the environmental implications of these continually evolving technologies (Zhou et al., 2006). Banta (2009), defines technology assessment as a policy study that examines the short- and long-term repercussions of technology adoption. The paper uses a Multicriteria Decision Making (MCDM) tool, the fuzzy-Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), for assessing the recycling technologies for e-waste. Pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy and bio-metallurgy are the three major technologies being used for recycling critical, precious and strategic minerals from electronic waste (Alam et al., 2022). Potential technology which can be deployed in India are chosen based on technological, environmental, and economic (TEE) evaluation criteria which determine the technical efficiency, economic viability and environmental impact of considered technologies. The working paper presents a more precise, effective, and systematic decision-making matrix for decision makers (policy makers, start-ups and industry players) to conduct the assessment process and select environmentally sound and economically viable e-waste recycling technologies, considering the fact that the formal recycling sector is at nascent stage.

Keywords: Circular Economy; e-waste recycling; Technology assessment framework; Multicriteria decision making; Fuzzy-TOPSIS; recycling technology; environmental impact; economic viability; icrier (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 32 page
Date: 2026-10
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